American League All-Star Mike Trout (center, facing) high fives teammates after the AL won the Midsummer Classic 3-0 on Tuesday at Citi Field. / USA TODAY Sports

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American League All-Star Mike Trout hits a double during the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday. / USA TODAY Sports

American League All-Star Mike Trout, a Los Angeles Angels outfielder, reacts after roping a double on the first pitch at the Midsummer Classic Tuesday at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. / Getty Images

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NEW YORK — Mike Trout always looks for his family in the stands at whatever Major League Baseball stadium they’re supporting him at.

When the Los Angeles Angels outfielder glanced toward Section 124 on the third-base line at Citi Field during batting practice for the 84th Midsummer Classic Tuesday, they were nowhere to be found.

That’s because after partaking in MLB’s All-Star parade earlier in the day in New York City, Mike’s family suffered through a miserable bus ride from their Manhattan hotel to Queens — a 10-mile journey that took more than two hours on a balmy afternoon where temperatures steadily stayed in the 90s.

When they finally reached their seats, just an hour before introductions, Trout’s parents, Jeff and Debbie, didn’t even have time to grab a pregame picture with their All-Star son, which they had done during the previous year’s festivities in Kansas City.

However, the Millville native turned his family’s spirits around when he sent the game’s first pitch down the right-field line for a double, becoming the second player in MLB history to record a hit in two All-Star games before his 22nd birthday, joining Hall of Famer Al Kaline.

Jeff’s smile shined bright in his seat 24 rows off the field as he high-fived Debbie and Mike’s girlfriend, Jess Cox.

“You always look for your parents and your girlfriend and your brothers and your sisters, it’s pretty special just to be a part of (the All-Star celebration), and they’re having just as much fun as I am out there,” said Mike, who saw Jeff, Debbie, his brother Tyler and Cox show him some love when he peered into the stands during the game’s opening ceremonies.

Mike, a two-time All-Star, told his family before the game he was going to swing at the first pitch he saw.

“I was going to go up there looking for a fastball to hit and he threw me one and I hit it,” said Trout, who finished the game 1-for-3 as the American League prevailed 3-0 over the National League, the AL’s first win since 2009. Trout is now 2-for-4 in his All-Star Game career with a walk and a stolen base.

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But while Trout enjoyed the double, it paled in comparison to when New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is playing in his final season, strode out from the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning and warmed up with only his catcher on the field.

“It was really special, it was one of the things that I’m going to remember about this All-Star Game,” Trout said. “The double was huge and everything, but seeing Mariano run out of the bullpen, a standing ovation from both teams and the crowd, it was something special I’ll always remember.”

Trout wasn’t able to take the field with Rivera, the game’s Most Valuable Player, as he was pulled during the top of that frame, but Trout did last seven full innings and was the last American League starter in the game.

“Starting the game, just being in the starting lineup and having the chance to get a hit and playing seven innings, it’s pretty cool,” Trout said.

That doesn’t mean he wanted to come out though.

“I’m going to stay in as long as I can,” he said. “Just having fun and being out there is something special.”

Though his exit couldn’t have been much better because he was replaced by his former Angels teammate and current Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter, who’s been a mentor to Trout throughout his young career.

“It was the first time in my career I went up to Torii and said he’s hitting for me,” Trout said. “It’s pretty cool. We had fun. Just enjoyed the win and a very, very good day.”

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